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HERALD pOsT
Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge
VOL. 74 NO. 30
Meet Peter Lakes, teacher, musician
Local public meeting calendar
Page 10
Page 15
JULY 16 - 22, 2025
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Thousands turn out for MPK July 4 parade By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
Mike Polansky/Herald
Massapequa Road Runners, one of the many local groups that took part in the parade.
Under sunny skies and nearperfect weather, several thousand people lined the streets of Massapequa Park Village on the morning of July 4 for the village’s annual Independence Day parade. More than 40 local organizations marched the 1.6-mile route, which began at the intersection of Walker Street and Lakeshore Drive, continued south along Lakeshore, then headed down Park Boulevard through the village to Front Street. Among the spectators was Deborah Loseto, who arrived CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Take Me Out to the Ballgame hosting ‘Christmas in July’ fundraiser at Mulcahy’s By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
When Rich Genovese of Massapequa read about the 2006 murder of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown, a Brooklyn girl who suffered years of abuse, he couldn’t shake the story from his mind. “It bothered me so much that my wife said, ‘Well, do something,’” Genovese recalled. That moment of heartbreak became a catalyst for change. Rich and his wife, Lenore, went on to establish Take Me Out to the Ballgame, a nonprofit, allvolunteer organization that creates and funds events for children affected by drug and alcohol abuse. The foundation was
officially launched in 2007. “We wanted to do something to help kids,” said Genovese. Joining forces with lifelong friends Matt Dowd and John D’Elia — whom Genovese calls his “left and right arm” — the trio has spent nearly two decades building a foundation that now supports hundreds of families across Long Island. In line with that, the organization’s sixth annual “Christmas in July” fundraiser will take place on Thur., July 24, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh. Other funded events through the foundation include trips to Adventureland, fishing excur-
sions, tickets to Long Island Ducks games and other sporting events, and an annual Christmas party. “We take these kids to Adventureland and Long Island Ducks games, and the smile on their face doesn’t come off,” Genovese said. Beyond events, the foundation provides essential holiday meals, gifts, and school supplies to families in need. They regularly stock nine local food pantries and assist with back-toschool drives. “Backpacks, notebooks — many of these people can’t afford it,” said Dowd. “That could put a real sticker on a kid who doesn’t have the same school supplies as
their classmates. We combat that as best we can.” The group partners with organizations including YES Community Counseling Center in Massapequa, Freeport Inn Soup Kitchen, and the Angels of Long Island in Patchogue, often helping children from “really disjointed families,” Genovese said. “The issues that the families have range from being a single
mom and struggling to afford diapers and formula to parents who suffer from drug abuse and alcoholism,” he said. Dowd added, “The cost of diapers and formula is off the charts. The food pantries always need servicing.” Genovese reflected on the organization’s growth, recalling their first Thanksgiving when CONTINUED ON PAGE 12